IRIN - Angolahttp://www.irinnews.org/Updated everydayen-gbTue, 07 Apr 2015 10:05:35 GMTWhat future for the humanitarian capital of the world? Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT]]>GENEVA 07 April 2015 (IRIN) - Geneva has firmly taken its place as one of the most expensive cities in the world, following a sharp rise in the value of the Swiss franc in January. Should cost-conscious aid agencies be headquartered there? http://www.irinnews.org/Report/101332/What-future-for-the-humanitarian-capital-of-the-world

GENEVA 07 April 2015 (IRIN) - Geneva has firmly taken its place as one of the most expensive cities in the world, following a sharp rise in the value of the Swiss franc in January. Should cost-conscious aid agencies be headquartered there?

]]>Killing us softly Fri, 27 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMT]]>HONG KONG 27 March 2015 (IRIN) - Of the 100 million Chinese who watched a documentary - later censored - about air pollution in their country, 172,000 are likely to die each year from air pollution-related diseases. http://www.irinnews.org/Report/101285/Killing-us-softly

HONG KONG 27 March 2015 (IRIN) - Of the 100 million Chinese who watched a documentary - later censored - about air pollution in their country, 172,000 are likely to die each year from air pollution-related diseases.

]]>Coaxing the dragon: Why China should join the great aid debate Tue, 17 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMT]]>LONDON 17 March 2015 (IRIN) - Amid the countless meetings, summits and conferences being held around the world to determine the post-2015 development agenda and the future of humanitarian aid, how much attention is being paid to the growing role of China? Not enough perhaps, but the wariness cuts both ways. James Wan, fellow at the Wits University China-Africa Reporting Project in South Africa, argues it’s time for China to get its hands dirty in the great aid debate.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/101241/Coaxing-the-dragon-Why-China-should-join-the-great-aid-debate

LONDON 17 March 2015 (IRIN) - Amid the countless meetings, summits and conferences being held around the world to determine the post-2015 development agenda and the future of humanitarian aid, how much attention is being paid to the growing role of China? Not enough perhaps, but the wariness cuts both ways. James Wan, fellow at the Wits University China-Africa Reporting Project in South Africa, argues it’s time for China to get its hands dirty in the great aid debate.

]]>Three words of advice for WHO Africa's new chiefTue, 24 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 24 February 2015 (IRIN) - WHO’s new regional director for Africa faces a tough road ahead, as she attempts to restore confidence in the organization following failures to act more quickly during the Ebola outbreak. http://www.irinnews.org/Report/101153/Three-words-of-advice-for-WHO-Africa-apos-s-new-chief

DAKAR 24 February 2015 (IRIN) - WHO’s new regional director for Africa faces a tough road ahead, as she attempts to restore confidence in the organization following failures to act more quickly during the Ebola outbreak.

]]>Who celebrity advocates are really targeting. And it’s not you.Fri, 13 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT]]>LONDON 13 February 2015 (IRIN) - In recent years, aid agencies have increasingly used celebrities to raise awareness and money for their causes. There’s just one problem: It doesn’t actually work. http://www.irinnews.org/Report/101122/Who-celebrity-advocates-are-really-targeting-And-it-s-not-you

LONDON 13 February 2015 (IRIN) - In recent years, aid agencies have increasingly used celebrities to raise awareness and money for their causes. There’s just one problem: It doesn’t actually work.

]]>Nice and dirty – the importance of soilFri, 16 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 16 January 2015 (IRIN) - Be it laterite, loam, peat or clay, soil is life. It's the foundation of food security, and so the UN has declared 2015 as the year to draw attention to the stuff.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/101019/Nice-and-dirty-the-importance-of-soil

NAIROBI 16 January 2015 (IRIN) - Be it laterite, loam, peat or clay, soil is life. It's the foundation of food security, and so the UN has declared 2015 as the year to draw attention to the stuff.

]]>PRESS RELEASE: IRIN humanitarian news service to spin off from the UNThu, 20 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMTGENEVA 20 November 2014 (IRIN) - After nearly 20 years as part of the United Nations, the humanitarian news service IRIN is spinning off to become an independent non-profit media venture, with the support of a major private donorhttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/100867/PRESS-RELEASE-IRIN-humanitarian-news-service-to-spin-off-from-the-UN

GENEVA 20 November 2014 (IRIN) - After nearly 20 years as part of the United Nations, the humanitarian news service IRIN is spinning off to become an independent non-profit media venture, with the support of a major private donor

]]>An ambitious plan to end statelessnessFri, 07 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMT]]>LONDON 07 November 2014 (IRIN) - It is now 60 years since stateless people received recognition in international law, and the UN has two conventions (1954 and 1961) dedicated to their protection and the regularization of their situation. Yet an estimated 10 million people worldwide still suffer the problems and indignities of having no nationality.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/100804/An-ambitious-plan-to-end-statelessness

LONDON 07 November 2014 (IRIN) - It is now 60 years since stateless people received recognition in international law, and the UN has two conventions (1954 and 1961) dedicated to their protection and the regularization of their situation. Yet an estimated 10 million people worldwide still suffer the problems and indignities of having no nationality.

]]>How to boost food production in AfricaMon, 15 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMT]]>ADDIS ABABA 15 September 2014 (IRIN) - Smallholder farmers, who hold over 80 percent of all farms in sub-Saharan Africa, are struggling to adapt to rapidly rising temperature and erratic rains, according to the 2014 Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR), released on 3 September in Addis Ababa.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/100612/How-to-boost-food-production-in-Africa

ADDIS ABABA 15 September 2014 (IRIN) - Smallholder farmers, who hold over 80 percent of all farms in sub-Saharan Africa, are struggling to adapt to rapidly rising temperature and erratic rains, according to the 2014 Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR), released on 3 September in Addis Ababa.

]]>Interview with outgoing Africa Great Lakes Special Envoy Mary RobinsonMon, 04 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 04 August 2014 (IRIN) - In mid-June UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reassigned the special envoy to Africa's Great Lakes region, Mary Robinson, to special envoy for climate change. IRIN spoke to her about her time working on the Great Lakes region. http://www.irinnews.org/Report/100444/Interview-with-outgoing-Africa-Great-Lakes-Special-Envoy-Mary-Robinson

NAIROBI 04 August 2014 (IRIN) - In mid-June UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reassigned the special envoy to Africa's Great Lakes region, Mary Robinson, to special envoy for climate change. IRIN spoke to her about her time working on the Great Lakes region.

]]>New thinking needed on food aid for refugees in AfricaMon, 07 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 07 July 2014 (IRIN) - The World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have launched an urgent appeal to address a funding shortfall that has already resulted in food ration cuts for a third of all African refugees. As of mid-June, nearly 800,000 refugees in 22 African countries have seen their monthly food allocations reduced, most of them by more than half. http://www.irinnews.org/Report/100314/New-thinking-needed-on-food-aid-for-refugees-in-Africa

JOHANNESBURG 07 July 2014 (IRIN) - The World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have launched an urgent appeal to address a funding shortfall that has already resulted in food ration cuts for a third of all African refugees. As of mid-June, nearly 800,000 refugees in 22 African countries have seen their monthly food allocations reduced, most of them by more than half.

]]>Genome breakthrough could help fight against sleeping sickness Wed, 28 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT]]>KISUMU/NAIROBI 28 May 2014 (IRIN) - Scientists have welcomed the development of genome sequence data on the tsetse fly, the vector responsible for the transmission of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness. They say it could be instrumental in devising strategies to eradicate the fly and reduce deaths and the spread of other diseases associated with it.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/100142/Genome-breakthrough-could-help-fight-against-sleeping-sickness

KISUMU/NAIROBI 28 May 2014 (IRIN) - Scientists have welcomed the development of genome sequence data on the tsetse fly, the vector responsible for the transmission of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness. They say it could be instrumental in devising strategies to eradicate the fly and reduce deaths and the spread of other diseases associated with it.

]]>Melding science and tradition to tackle climate changeFri, 23 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT]]>KISUMU 23 May 2014 (IRIN) - In the latest of several partnerships between tradition and modern science aimed at improving resilience to climate change, pastoralists and meteorologists in Tanzania are working together to produce weather forecasts better suited to farmers.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/100125/Melding-science-and-tradition-to-tackle-climate-change

KISUMU 23 May 2014 (IRIN) - In the latest of several partnerships between tradition and modern science aimed at improving resilience to climate change, pastoralists and meteorologists in Tanzania are working together to produce weather forecasts better suited to farmers.

]]>Remittance rip-offsTue, 22 Apr 2014 00:00:00 GMT]]>LONDON 22 April 2014 (IRIN) - All over the world migrant workers are sending money home to their families. The money pays hospital bills and school fees, buys land, builds houses and sets up small businesses. The cash goes from the US back to Mexico, from the Gulf back to India, from the UK back to Somalia, and from South Africa back to Malawi, Zimbabwe and the rest of southern Africa. http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99977/Remittance-rip-offs

LONDON 22 April 2014 (IRIN) - All over the world migrant workers are sending money home to their families. The money pays hospital bills and school fees, buys land, builds houses and sets up small businesses. The cash goes from the US back to Mexico, from the Gulf back to India, from the UK back to Somalia, and from South Africa back to Malawi, Zimbabwe and the rest of southern Africa.

]]>Long road to an African rapid reaction forceFri, 21 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 21 February 2014 (IRIN) - The African Union (AU) is rethinking how it can most effectively deploy military forces to tackle the continent’s crises.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99683/Long-road-to-an-African-rapid-reaction-force

JOHANNESBURG 21 February 2014 (IRIN) - The African Union (AU) is rethinking how it can most effectively deploy military forces to tackle the continent’s crises.

]]>Breaking the cycle of youth unemployment, povertyMon, 10 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 10 February 2014 (IRIN) - Youth unemployment and underemployment are among the main barriers to development in West Africa, say experts. Not only does the exclusion of young people from the labour force perpetuate generational cycles of poverty, it also breaks down social cohesion and can be associated with higher levels of crime and violence among idle youth.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99620/Breaking-the-cycle-of-youth-unemployment-poverty

DAKAR 10 February 2014 (IRIN) - Youth unemployment and underemployment are among the main barriers to development in West Africa, say experts. Not only does the exclusion of young people from the labour force perpetuate generational cycles of poverty, it also breaks down social cohesion and can be associated with higher levels of crime and violence among idle youth.

]]>Helping Africa’s urban poor gain from modernizationTue, 04 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 04 February 2014 (IRIN) - Plans to reshape and modernize African cities, in part driven by investment, architecture and construction companies seeking new markets, could deepen existing social inequalities, according to recent research. But these development plans could also benefit the poor if governments are responsive to the needs of their citizens, argue analysts.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99590/Helping-Africa-s-urban-poor-gain-from-modernization

NAIROBI 04 February 2014 (IRIN) - Plans to reshape and modernize African cities, in part driven by investment, architecture and construction companies seeking new markets, could deepen existing social inequalities, according to recent research. But these development plans could also benefit the poor if governments are responsive to the needs of their citizens, argue analysts.

]]>Life-saving hepatitis C drug approved, but cost is highMon, 23 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NEW YORK 23 December 2013 (IRIN) - Following approvals in the US and Europe this month of a new drug to treat hepatitis C, activists are pushing for the medication to be made available in poor countries.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99381/Life-saving-hepatitis-C-drug-approved-but-cost-is-high

NEW YORK 23 December 2013 (IRIN) - Following approvals in the US and Europe this month of a new drug to treat hepatitis C, activists are pushing for the medication to be made available in poor countries.

]]>Drought contributes to cholera outbreak in southern AngolaThu, 05 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>JOHANNESBURG 05 December 2013 (IRIN) - A protracted drought followed by the onset of the rainy season in southern Angola has triggered a sharp increase in cholera cases, mainly concentrated in Cunene province, where over 1,000 infections and 48 deaths were recorded during a two-week period in November, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99273/Drought-contributes-to-cholera-outbreak-in-southern-Angola

JOHANNESBURG 05 December 2013 (IRIN) - A protracted drought followed by the onset of the rainy season in southern Angola has triggered a sharp increase in cholera cases, mainly concentrated in Cunene province, where over 1,000 infections and 48 deaths were recorded during a two-week period in November, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.

KISUMU/KAMPALA 27 November 2013 (IRIN) - Even as food insecurity continues to afflict impoverished and disaster-affected populations around the continent, African policymakers and consumers remain deeply divided over the potential harms and benefits of genetically modified (GM) foods, which advocates say could greatly improve yields and nutrition.

]]>Senegal on the frontline of the battle with Big TobaccoTue, 19 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>DAKAR 19 November 2013 (IRIN) - Djité Sekou, 32, smokes as he passes his nights guarding one of the many high-rise apartment buildings in Dakar, Senegal. It has been eight years since his first cigarette - a Monte Carlo from Morocco - and when money is available he goes through 20 to 30 per day. It is an addiction that can cost him up to a quarter of his monthly income.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99154/Senegal-on-the-frontline-of-the-battle-with-Big-Tobacco

DAKAR 19 November 2013 (IRIN) - Djité Sekou, 32, smokes as he passes his nights guarding one of the many high-rise apartment buildings in Dakar, Senegal. It has been eight years since his first cigarette - a Monte Carlo from Morocco - and when money is available he goes through 20 to 30 per day. It is an addiction that can cost him up to a quarter of his monthly income.

]]>Analysis: Untangling China's aid to AfricaTue, 17 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 17 September 2013 (IRIN) - This year, the two most powerful men on the globe, presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping, both embarked on Africa tours, pledging to increase aid and investment and work with the continent to improve development.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98771/Analysis-Untangling-China-apos-s-aid-to-Africa

NAIROBI 17 September 2013 (IRIN) - This year, the two most powerful men on the globe, presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping, both embarked on Africa tours, pledging to increase aid and investment and work with the continent to improve development.

]]>Analysis: Behind China’s aid structureTue, 17 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>NAIROBI 17 September 2013 (IRIN) - China’s role as an aid donor has been met with wariness, both from aid experts and recipients. Confusion over the nature of China’s aid arises because the country uses multiple ministries and agencies to give money, has different strategic priorities than traditional Western donors, and does not release detailed reports about how much aid it provides.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98772/Analysis-Behind-China-s-aid-structure

NAIROBI 17 September 2013 (IRIN) - China’s role as an aid donor has been met with wariness, both from aid experts and recipients. Confusion over the nature of China’s aid arises because the country uses multiple ministries and agencies to give money, has different strategic priorities than traditional Western donors, and does not release detailed reports about how much aid it provides.

]]>Rethinking mental health in Africa Mon, 02 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>KAMPALA 02 September 2013 (IRIN) - As African countries strive to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 and plot a new development agenda thereafter, health experts are gathering evidence across the continent to make a case for a greater focus on its millions of mentally ill.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98680/Rethinking-mental-health-in-Africa

KAMPALA 02 September 2013 (IRIN) - As African countries strive to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 and plot a new development agenda thereafter, health experts are gathering evidence across the continent to make a case for a greater focus on its millions of mentally ill.

]]>Drought response lags behind need in southern AngolaWed, 14 Aug 2013 00:00:00 GMT]]>ONDJIVA 14 August 2013 (IRIN) - At a traditional homestead in Chiede commune, in southern Angola’s drought-stricken Cunene Province, four tired, dusty children rest in the shade of a thatched hut. They have just returned from a journey to fetch water that has taken them most of the morning; the task will have to be repeated in the afternoon if the family of 20 is to have a few litres of muddy brown water to cook, drink and wash with.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98562/Drought-response-lags-behind-need-in-southern-Angola

ONDJIVA 14 August 2013 (IRIN) - At a traditional homestead in Chiede commune, in southern Angola’s drought-stricken Cunene Province, four tired, dusty children rest in the shade of a thatched hut. They have just returned from a journey to fetch water that has taken them most of the morning; the task will have to be repeated in the afternoon if the family of 20 is to have a few litres of muddy brown water to cook, drink and wash with.